Putting the Fun Back in Fundraising

Mango Hill State School is taking a unique approach to their fundraising this year by hosting the first ever Mud Run on Sunday 22 March

The event, which will turn the school into a giant mud filled obstacle course, is not only a key fundraising event for the year but also a way to get kids active and having fun away from technology and devices.

Mango Hill State School Principal, Tracy Egan, is all too aware of the effects of the digital age on our children. “One in four children is overweight or obese, which is a direct result of poor diet and reduced physical activity.

“Rather than go with the usual chocolate drives to help support the school, we wanted to try something different, get kids excited and have some fun, all while helping a good cause,” she said.

Many local businesses have offered to help both financially and with building the course. Among them is Brett Rapley from Brett’s Slashing who will be digging the course and helping to install the obstacles built and donated by Kitchen Crew.

Mango Hill State School has secured five major sponsors for the event including Coles, Traditional Korean Karate Academy, Kitchen Crew, Jetts North Lakes and the Telstra Shop North Lakes.

The Mud Run is a two kilometre course through the school grounds and surrounding bushland with 18 obstacles that encourage kids to run, climb and crawl through in mud. Open to all primary school aged children, tickets are just $25 each and one parent can run with each child.

With tickets selling fast and some waves already sold out, you’ll have to get in quick to secure your chance at fun in the mud with your children. For more information or to secure your ticket, visit facebook.com/MangoHillMudRun.

Online Shopping?

Popular consumer advocacy and advice site Choice says the debate about charging GST on overseas purchases should be informed by evidence. Otherwise there is a risk of policies that simply punish Australian consumers for no overall community benefit.

The consumer group has taken aim at five myths about the so-called GST 'loophole' on overseas goods, and encouraged the Federal Government to maintain its considered approach to the issue.

“We support the approach of successive Federal Governments, which has been to investigate options for reducing the GST low-value threshold provided the benefits outweigh the costs, including the costs to consumers,” says Matt Levey, CHOICE Director of Campaigns and Communications.

“Unless there’s an overall community benefit, you’re simply punishing Australians with more cost of living pressure when they can least afford it,” Mr Levey says.

Five myths about the GST low value threshold:

Myth 1: It's a 'loophole' eroding tax revenue

“Parts of the retail industry refer to the $1,000 threshold for charging GST on overseas purchases as a ‘loophole’,” Mr Levey says.

“In fact it’s a rational decision to not spend more money collecting tax than would be raised from it. That’s why governments charge taxes – to raise revenue and benefit the community, not to prop up uncompetitive businesses." - MYTH BUSTED

Redcliffe Surf Life Saving Charity Dinner

Mon Komo Hotel will help support the local Redcliffe Surf Life Saving club in February, by hosting a special charity dinner on Saturday 28th February 2014 to raise much-needed funds and awareness for Redcliffe’s Surf Life Saving Club.

The Redcliffe Surf Life Saving club began in 1991 and has always been a family oriented club focusing on family values and the iconic institute that is Surf Life Saving. Situated on the Northern end of Suttons Beach, and having a magnificent view of Moreton Bay members patrol the beaches during the months of August through to May.

The event - Held on Saturday 28th February, will raise much-needed funds for the not for profit organisation and will welcome special guests speakers, Former Brisbane Broncos player, Petero Civoniceva, Open Water Champion, Trent Grimsley, Australian Sailor Ashley Stoddart and MC David ‘Luttsy’ Lutteral from Nova 106.9 FM

Before retiring at the end of 2012, Civoniceva spend most of his career playing for the Brisbane Broncos and representing Queensland in the State of Origin Series and as an Australia International Prop Forward.

Civoniceva played his club football for the Brisbane Broncos with whom he won three premierships as well as Captaining the Penrith Panthers. Later in his career, he captained the Fijian national team in their 2013 Rugby League World Cup campaign and was awarded the Australian Fijian player of the year.

Guests will also hear from Trent Grimsley, the fasted person to have ever swum the English Channel. Being awarded the FINA Grand Prix Open Water Champion ranked him number one ultra-marathon swimmer in the world in 2012. Achieving everything he wanted to in the sport of marathon swimming, Trent opted to retire on top in early 2013, at just 24 years of age.
Known for his determination, work ethic and never say die attitude, Trent is now focusing his attention to his new venture Grimsley Adult Swimfit whilst at the same time coaching in Brisbane.

Ashley Stoddart is an Australian Female Sailor, who is campaigning for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in the Laser Radial – the women’s single handed Olympic Class. She has represented Australia in International competition since 2008 where she became the Under 17 world champion, and to date has been ranked number 8 in the world. 2015 will be a big year for Ashley as she continues to vie for Olympic Selection to represent Australia in 2016.

Director of Hospitality, Matt Newberry, said the team at Mon Komo Hotel were looking forward to supporting such a fantastic local organisation by hosting the upcoming dinner and were excited to have Petero, Ashley and Trent as their special guests.

“The Redcliffe Surf lifesaving club is an important part of the local Redcliffe community and has a great family environment."

"Redcliffe is a strong community that comes together for a good cause and we feel this dinner will appeal to many within the community, especially family and friends of those who are members of the club. It’s about getting behind and supporting a good cause and essentially, giving back to the local community”

“We are hoping to raise a total of $5000 for the club as a result of ticket sales and auctions at the dinner”

The Redcliffe Surf Life Saving Club, fundraising dinner will be held on Saturday 28th February, commencing at 7pm. The event will include a decadent three course meal and three hour beverage package and will feature raffles and auctions to raise further funds for the cause.

Tickets are $95 per person and can be purchased through the venue.

For further information regarding the Redcliffe Surf Life Saving Dinner at Mon Komo Hotel on the 28th February or to make a booking, please contact the venue on (07) 3284 6520 or visit www.monkomohotel.com.au

Healthy Weight Week

Almost two-thirds of adults in the Moreton Bay region and across Brisbane’s north side are overweight or obese, a worrying statistic that dietitians are determined to turn around.

According to the National Health Performance Authority in 2011/12, 61 percent of adults in our region faced increased risk of health problems due to the excess weight they were carrying.
The cost of obesity on Australia’s health system was estimated $2 billion in 2008. It has also been calculated that people who are obese face 30 per cent higher health care costs than those with more healthy body weights.

The only solution is to bring our nation’s obesity crisis under control.

One initiative that aims to achieve this is Healthy Weight Week (16 – 22 Feb), a Dietitians Association of Australia campaign designed to raise awareness of the importance of achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle.

This year, people are being asked to make a pledge to become healthier and the campaign offers a range of great ideas on how to do this.

These include ditching fad diets, cooking meals at home more often, and going to see an Accredited Practising Dietitian for tailored nutrition advice.

There is also a useful web-based app designed specifically for our community that can help people assess their health risk and find a local health professional.

Moreton Bay Region's Australia Day Awards

Honouring unsung heroes in our Community

Colourful fundraiser Tony “Top Hat” Moroney has been named Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Citizen of the Year at the 2015 Australia Day Awards and is being honoured alongside six other residents including a fellow fundraiser and a young Paralympian.

Tony Moroney, the Woodford fundraiser recognised by his top hat, was honoured at the Redcliffe Cultural Centre on January 24 for his efforts in supporting children with heart conditions and their families.

In addition to raising money for the Heart Kids Foundation, Tony was also recognised for collecting food and household donations to help those most in need.

“The Australia Day Awards honour the unsung heroes in our community by celebrating their outstanding achievements and positive contribution to helping make the Moreton Bay Region an even better place to work, live and play,” Mayor Sutherland said.
Leukaemia Foundation advocate Hannah Granger was named the Moreton Bay Region’s Young Citizen of the Year for her work in raising $1 million to help support patients and families living with Leukaemia and other blood cancers.

Coach and volunteer Damien O’Flaherty was awarded Sportsperson of the Year for his continued mentorship of young people in martial arts and providing free self-defence classes to help reduce bullying.

Young Sportsperson of the Year was awarded to Paralympian Lakeisha Patterson.

Lakeisha, also known as Lucky, has cerebral palsy and early-onset Parkinson’s disease, and was recognised for her outstanding athletic achievements at state and national level.

New year, new smoking bans hit Queensland

Smokers are no longer able to light up within five metres of hospital grounds and school gates thanks to new laws that commenced in Queensland on 1 January 2015

New Year’s Day also saw the start of a world-first law subjecting e-cigarettes to the same laws as traditional tobacco cigarettes in Queensland.

Cancer Council Queensland spokesperson Katie Clift commended the State Government for introducing the laws, set to save countless Queensland lives.

“These laws are an important step forward, strengthening the State’s action on tobacco control and preventing thousands of premature deaths from tobacco-related disease,” Ms Clift said.

“Banning smoking outside school gates will give parents peace of mind during school drop off and pick up, eliminating harmful exposure to second-hand smoke.

“Hospitals across the State will become healthier thanks to these new laws, giving visitors and patients a breath of fresh air during their stay.

“We are especially proud that Queensland is leading the world with its regulations on e-cigarettes – the new laws prevent them from being sold to children or used in indoor or outdoor public places, and ensure no promotion or advertisement of the products in retail outlets.

“E-cigarettes are a significant threat to public health – no e-cigarette has been tested for quality, safety or performance by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.

New Regular Feature

Welcome to 2015 and a new year with the Messenger! My name is David Kleinschmidt, I am a local North Lakes family and small businessman who for the last five years was the IT manager at the The Lakes College. I will be writing a column for you this year about Technology, and the info you need to make use of it.

Computers and most technology are actually far less complex than even the simplest human biological or behavioral systems. In fact, at a rudimentary level computers are actually designed after a human, almost as though we are trying to create electronic equivalents.

Don't get me wrong, computers have become so successful because they do certain things really well. Unlike humans computers can do the same thing over and over and over again, at a very fast rate, without complaint, a toilet break or any kind of positive reinforcement. So in many ways computers are superior to humans.

Here is some perspective that will hopefully put you in your rightful place as master of technology, I need you to know that you are the boss.

One of the most powerful known computers in the world is TITAN it occupies an entire floor of a building in Tennessee in the US, and is capable of processing absolutely ridiculous amounts of information. They measure these supercomputers by the number of operations they can perform in a given timeframe, TITAN can clock in excess of 16 quadrillion calculations per second. That's a lot. But although this beast that requires enough power to operate that could power 160,000 homes, can process one calculation much faster than a human brain, when asked to process the same number of calculations as a brain at the same time like our brains 1 million plus neurons do every second of every day, it took 1500 times longer than our humble brain does.

So you see, everyday you already operate a piece of technology far superior to any in the world, so own it, and remember that computers are tools, designed to serve us not for us to serve them.

New Fields for Team Play at North Lakes

It’s another win for community sport and recreation in the Moreton Bay Region with the Queensland Government’s Get Playing Plus Program investing $723,000 in new playing fields at North Lakes.

Moreton Bay Regional Council’s Division Four councillor Julie Greer said the State Government’s contribution to Moreton Bay Regional Council’s $1.73 million upgrade of Kinsellas Playing Fields would mean construction would get under way in 2015 once North Lakes developer Stockland had completed earthworks.

“The $1.73 million Kinsellas Playing Fields have been designed to accommodate a range of sporting codes and recreational activities, and includes two irrigated senior-sized and one junior-sized multi-purpose playing fields, a clubhouse, car parking, connectivity with the region’s cycle way network and field lighting,” Cr Greer said.

“The feedback I’ve had from local sporting clubs is that growing membership is fuelling demand for additional fields with the flexibility to be used by a variety of sporting teams,” Cr Greer said.

“Kinsellas Playing Fields’ built-in adaptability means they’ll be able to host rugby league, rugby union, soccer and touch football matches, among others, all in very close proximity to the existing ovals at North Lakes State College.”

Council will fund the remaining $1.07 million construction cost of the Kinsellas Playing Fields complex as part of its $67 million investment in sport, recreation and parks in 2014/15.

The Queensland Government’s contribution to Kinsellas Playing Fields follows a recent $1 million contribution to council’s $10.5 million AFL precinct at Brendale’s South Pine Sports Complex.

“Both recognise council’s commitment to providing new sport and recreation opportunities for the residents of one of Australia’s fastest growing urban areas – it’s a big win for our community,” Cr Greer said.